The Five Best Rivalries in Hockey

August 15, 2015

Every day we get a little closer to hockey season being back in action and I know you are all ready to see some of your favorite rivals take the ice against each other.

To get everyone ready, I thought it would be nice to take a look at my Top 5 Hockey Rivalries. Now these don't have to be NHL necessarily, just my favorite match ups that breed the most hate between the players and the fans.

5: USA vs USSR/Russia

There is an argument to be made that this rivalry deserves to be closer to the top, but my personal feeling is that although the Miracle on Ice is probably one of the best moments we've ever seen in ice hockey, the rivalry between the two countries has faded a little bit since the Soviet Union.

However, it still makes it into my Top 5 after what was another classic game in the last Winter Olympic Games, when the USA defeated Russia in their home country. Canada would go on to win the Gold Medal, but that game may have been the most talked about.

4: Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames

One of the relatively younger rivalries in the NHL. If you live anywhere near British Columbia or Alberta, you understand just how much these two teams hate each other. It's a rivalry that doesn't end at hockey and the sparks that usually end up flying when these teams meet isn't limited to those on the ice. It's common to see the fans getting into it as well.

3: USA vs. Canada

Again this one could be number one, but personally I love how rivalries develop when teams see each other 82 games a season, so as a hockey fan, I couldn't put an international rivalry ahead of some of my favorite NHL rivalries.

However, you have to love a rivalry that is just as exciting at the junior level as it is at the pros. These two countries hate each other when it comes to hockey and it's not uncommon to see parents of the opposing nation cheer against their own kids or at the least have a hard time cheering for them. That's how deep this rivalry goes.

Regardless of the outcome whenever these two countries meet, beer and tears will be flowing after it's all over. It doesn't get much better.

2: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

The past 15 years have given us several opportunities to see this rivalry at it's finest and it never disappoints. Boston and Montreal make it a habit of taking series the distance and each and every game is as exciting as the one before it.

1: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

I can't be the only one who keeps an eye on the Eastern Conference standings each season, hoping there will be a first round Flyers/Penguins pairing right?

There aren't enough words to describe how much fun this rivalry is if you are a hockey fan. There is no love in the all Pennsylvania rivalry and they make sure everyone is reminded of that almost every time they take the ice against each other.

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